 "No dog training will work if you are inconsistent. Inconsistency is extremely frustrating for your dog, just as it is for humans."
- Pam Dennison, Certified Animal Behavior Consultant  The biggest obstacle we all face is to be more interesting to our dog than the environment. Whether you are actually training or just going for a leisurely walk, being more appealing than the environment is always challenging.
 "A growl is an important mode of communication from the dog to you. It's not aggression - it's a warning. When the police say "stop or I'll shoot," it doesn't mean they want to shoot you; it's a warning. If you punish a dog for growling, you deny yourself a warning that your dog is feeling threatened. If you're smart you'll thank your dog for growling because he's just letting you know that he's very uncomfortable, and if you don't stop what you're doing, he may bite you. A growling dog doesn't want to bite you - that's why he's growling as a warning."
- Pam Dennison, Certified Animal Behavior Consultant  Dogs read body language, and they do not misunderstand each other. What you do speaks louder than what you say.
 "Everything the dog wants in life should be earned, especially in his or her formative months. By simply asking the dog to perform a task (e.g., sit, down, spin, bow, sit pretty) before being fed, petted, or walked, we establish our VIP (Very Influential Person) role."
- Terry Long, CPDT-KA, winner of 2006 Dog Writers of America Maxwell Award  "A person cannot get over a fear during behavior modification unless this is accompanied by mental and physical relaxation. We assume that animals, in particular dogs, have similar feelings based on behavior research."
- Pia Silvani, Director of Training and Behavior, St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center, Madison, NJ  A friend just reported that their neighbor's dog died from eating chocolate. This tragedy should serve to remind us that not all foods that are good for us are good for our pets. Please click here to view the ASPCA list of dangerous foods for your pet, as well as the Animal Poison Control hotline. Cut it out and post it on your refrigerator.
 "Owners frequently complain of 'hyperactivity' and 'attention deficit disorder' in their dogs. True hyperactivity or hyperkinesis is extremely rare; these dogs cannot settle down and posses elevated heart and respiratory rates at rest. Most dogs thought to be 'hyperactive' are simply under-stimulated. The best treatment is consistent, daily mental and physical activity to channel their behavior into more acceptable avenues."
- Karen Sueda, DVM, ACVB, Veterinary Specialist  "What the owner does and whether the dog can get better are often two entirely unrelated issues. If the owner can do what's truly in the best interests of the dog, then behavior modification programs can help."
- Karen Overall, University of Pennsylvania's School of Veterinary Medicine Behavior Clinic  "Just as scratching is not a disease, aggression is not a behavior problem per se. Scratching is a symptom of an underlying pruritic condition just as aggression is a symptom of an underlying issue (e.g., fear, territoriality, conflict). Behavior problems should be addressed in a comprehensive way by evaluating the animal's environment, diet, exercise routine, social relationships, and physiological (medical) status."
- Lore I. Haug, Texas Veterinary Behavior Service |
AuthorJeff Dentler, CPDT-KA, IAABC-ADT, FFCP, CTDI Archives
April 2025
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